4A Regional: Merrillville vs. Warsaw

After watching Kyle Mangas pour in 47 points in the afternoon, Merrillville knew it had to slow down the senior guard in order to beat Warsaw.

Merrillville blanketed Mangas all over the court. The Pirates made the Warsaw work in order to catch the ball. Once he caught the ball, Merrillville brought double teams. It was tough for Mangas to get a decent look at the basket. The supporting cast of Warsaw stepped up, especially early.

Senior guard Jonah Jackson gave Merrillville energy with his shooting. Jackson’s outside shooting helped open the lane for Mileek McMillan and Cameron Wilbon. Jackson led Merrillville with 18 points in the game.

After scoring eight points in the first half, Kyle Mangas found some space early in the second half. He racked up eight points in the first two minutes of the third quarter. Behind his production, Warsaw took the lead in the third quarter.

Merrillville turned up the defensive intensity another notch at the beginning of the final quarter. The Pirates looked to trap more and the pressure rattled Warsaw into turnovers. Merrillville started the final period with an 8-0 run to take control of the game.

With the Pirates up six points, it looked like Warsaw was running out of gas with fewer than three minutes left. Kyle Mangas pumped life into Warsaw. First, the ripped a Merrillville player then finished the play with a dunk. Seconds later, Mangas came inches from another steal. Mangas did knock the ball off of Wilbon’s leg to get the ball back. Mangas knocked down a tough three-pointer on the ensuing possession to make it a one-point game.

Despite a good look from three, Warsaw did not score the rest of the way. Johnny Bernard iced the game at the line for Merrillville by hitting three of four free throws down the stretch.

Merrillville won 50-46. Jackson’s 18 led the Pirates. Cameron Wilbon added 12.

Kyle Mangas finished with a game-high 24 points. Jeremy David added 10 points.

Merrillville advances to the 4A North Semi-State to play Fort Wayne North Side.